Controlled Growth Interface of Charge Transfer Salts of Nickel-7,7,8,8-Tetracyanoquinodimethane on Surface of Graphdiyne

Here we report an in situ assembly growth method that controls the growth of NiTCNQ on the surface of graphdiyne (GDY). The catalytic system of donor- acceptor-donor (GDY/TCNQ/Ni) structure with multiple charge transfer (CT) was achieved by controlling the growth of NiTCNQ on the surface of GDY. Significantly, a controlled double layer interface of GDY/TCNQ/Ni was formed. This system implemented simultaneously the two elements we expected (1) an incomplete CT, and (2) the infinite distribution of active sites originating from highly asymmetric surface charge distribution. The high conductivity and typical semiconductor characteristics of the catalyst endows it with high catalytic activity. We found that an electrolytic cell consisting of the CT salt as a catalyst provided a 1.40 V ultra-small cell voltage up to 10 mA cm(-2) and the outer GDY film effectively prevented the corrosion of the catalyst. Our study is the first to introduce CT complexes to a novel catalytic material platform for high selectivity of catalysts, and undoubtedly demonstrates the high selectivity, stability, and activity of such catalytic systems, which provides a new space for the development of novel conceptual catalysts. [GRAPHICS]

Automated summary

In this study, we developed an in situ assembly growth method to control the growth of NiTCNQ on the surface of graphdiyne (GDY). We achieved a catalytic system with multiple charge transfer by controlling the growth of NiTCNQ on GDY. The resulting catalyst showed high conductivity and typical semiconductor characteristics, which contributed to its high catalytic activity.